The AMSA Security Blog

The latest news from AMSA Security

Many different apps exist for personal and home safety. Some send alerts in case of break in. Others take advantage of home automation systems. The sheer number of apps and their uses are astonishing. Here are just a few:

SOS StaySafe AppThis app allows you to send an emergency message to your friends and family by shaking the mobile phone. It sends a text message or email to specifically selected contacts with your name, exact location, and battery level. This message will continue to be sent at regular intervals until deactivated.

VithU AppThis safety app for Android sends an SOS text message when you press the power button twice. Your contacts will receive alerts every two minutes with your physical location.

bSafeThis app is designed to keep you in touch with your friends 24/7. This app shares your location with friends and triggers an automatic alarm if you have not checked in on time. It will even send you a fake call to help dodge an unwanted situation.

Life360 Family Locator AppThis app allows you to create circles and add people to them to examine locations on a confidential map. This way you’ll always be able to keep track of your family members and confirm that they are safe.

S HealthThis app records and analyzes your daily activities to help maintain a successful diet and lead a healthier lifestyle. It also allows the user to search for health issues and find help for them.

KitestringThis app is based on a web service that checks in with you and sends alerts to pre-selected contacts if you fail to respond. These alerts are sent through SMS text messages so the service can work with the most basic phones.

BugleThis app was created with input from Search and Rescue professionals. This app is designed for runners, hikers, cyclists, and other people who don’t want to take their phone when they’re not home. If the owner doesn’t check in after a certain period, contacts are alerted.

SafeTrek AppThis is an emergency app that lets you alert the police if you are in an unsafe situation but also has a failsafe in case you don’t need emergency help. The app is launched if you place your thumb on the “Safe button”. If you move your thumb from the button, it will prompt you to enter a 4-digit code. If you don’t answer the code, the police will be notified. If you answer the code correctly, nothing will happen. This is a discreet way to be ready in case a situation is questionable.

Samsung Galaxy’s Safety AssistanceThis is one of the features installed in the Samsung Galaxy S5, S6, and S7. This is a built-in emergency tool that lets you quickly notify pre-determined contacts that you may be in trouble. You can configure the settings of this feature by going into the settings on your phone. This can turn on an SOS alert by setting the lock button 3 times. Your location, a picture from your camera, and a brief voice recording will be sent.

React MobileThis app turns your smartphone into a powerful lifeline. It features a “Follow-Me” feature that lets you share your GPS location with friends and family so they can track your whereabouts in real-time and follow you to safety. This app is perfect for running alone, meeting new clients, keeping track of loved ones, and walking home alone at night.

MyHome from AMSACreated by Atlanta security company, Alarm Monitoring Service of Atlanta, it enables you to connect with your home automation system. It allows you to set the security system as “armed” or “disarmed”. It can alert you if there is motion activity on the property. If for some reason there is a power failure or if a window is left open, this app will alert you. You will also be sent a text alert if there is any flooding. MyHome allows you to control your lighting and climate as well.

By downloading a few safety apps, you can better protect yourself and keep your home safe.

A professionally installed and monitored home security system can protect your home and your family 24/7, notifying you of emergencies and dispatching the proper authorities when you need them most. However, many benefits of professionally monitored home security aren’t often considered. Some of the benefits for wireless security systems in Atlanta include:

Easy Installation
Professional installation of your home security system means it is done correctly. A professionally installed wireless home security system won’t affect your current electrical installation and won’t result in unnecessary drilling through walls or countertops.

Fire/CO Detector Monitoring
A home automation system can protect your home from fire and carbon monoxide. These systems will alert the monitoring center and emergency services if there is a fire or if poisonous CO gas is detected. Even if you aren’t at home you’ll receive alerts through your smartphone.

Will Work If Power Outage Occurs
Home security systems will continue to work even if the power is out. If power lines are cut or a disaster disables the electricity, the alarm system will continue to function and keep you protected.

Home Automation
Save energy on your electric bill by having your home automation system monitor and automatically adjust heat and lighting throughout your home. You’ll also find many new uses for your smartphone. You can keep an eye on your home when you’re not there. You can change the temperature and turn on the lights before you even enter a room.

Protect Your Family
A home security system is an efficient and affordable way to find peace of mind. You will never have to wonder if your family is safe. Sleep easy at night knowing if any disaster occurs you will be immediately alerted.

Alarm Monitoring Service of Atlanta provides inexpensive home security and home automation systems that create convenience and safety in your life. Protect your home and family while reaping the immeasurable benefits of your wireless security system.

Keeping your family safe is your number one priority, even if that family no longer lives with you. Don’t be afraid to share advice with senior family members on how to protect their homes, keep themselves safe, and spot people out to deceive them. Help them stay safe by following these tips for senior citizens.

Never hide keys under the doormat or anywhere else outside. Intruders know where to look to find spare keys. To ensure your parent or grandparent can always access their home, install a keypad lock to their front door or leave a key with a trusted neighbor.

Monitored alarms are perfect in case of burglary, fire, carbon monoxide, or medical emergency. These features can be especially helpful if your loved one finds themselves in a situation they cannot handle on their own.

Home automation provides seniors with easy access to make sure appliances are turned off and allows them to view their security camera feed whenever they wish.

It is a good idea to make sure that the locks are working properly on a regular basis. Making certain these access points are secure is always the first line defense.

Instruct any seniors to never give personal information over the phone. This includes their credit card number, social security, phone card, or bank account numbers. Many scams claim to need this information and often promise prizes. Warn your loved ones to protect their identity.

Automatic locking doorknobs are the perfect gift for that forgetful loved one. Making sure the doors are always locked when they need to be.

Try to replace any old doors with solid wood or metal. The frame of the door needs to be especially strong so that it cannot be kicked down. Another option would be to reinforce the current frame. Peepholes are also important as they allow your loved one to see who is outside before they even open the door.

Purchase a medical alert bracelet for your parent or grandparent. Slip and fall incidences are one of the most common types of household accidents. For someone who is unable to recover from such an accident on their own, being able to get quickly and conveniently in touch with a trained emergency operator is imperative.

Install motion sensor lighting around the property of their home. This is a great way to alert them when someone is outside and helps protect against vandalism as well.

Motion sensors are an essential part of home security. These security features are one of the first indicators that an intruder has entered your property and are provided by AMSA Security for Atlanta home security needs.

There are several different types of motion sensors to detect movements inside and outside of your home. The newest motion sensors are connected to a home security control panel which has the ability to alert you when a potential threat is in your home. Safewise.com provides information on how these motion sensors work:

Role of Motion Sensors:

Motion sensors in the home are designed to detect any motion. These sensors work when you are not at home or when you let your system know that you are not there. They can be used conjunction with security cameras included in your home security package as well. Motion sensors have the ability to alert you in many different situations including:

A window or door being opened or closed

Triggering a doorbell when someone approaches the front door

Alert you when children enter a restricted portion of home including the basement, medicine closet, or workout room

Notifying your if your pet has wandered into a restricted part of the home

Types of Motion Sensors:

Passive Infrared (PIR)

– This type of sensor detects body heat. These are the most common sensors used in home security systems. When a sensor is activated and warms up, it can detect movement based on heat. This creates a protective grid in the system. Once a moving object sets off numerous zones and the infrared energy levels change rapidly, the sensors are tripped off.

MicroWave (MW)

– This type of sensor sends out microwave pulses and measures the reflection of moving objects. These sensors have the ability to cover a larger area than infrared sensors, but are sometimes interfered with by electrical interferences.

Dual Technology

– This type of sensor includes passive infrared technology with microwave sensor technology. The combination of security technologies reduces false alarms. One is considered passive, while the other is active. In order to trip off a sensor, both need to be activated.

Area Reflective

– These sensors emit infrared rays from an LED source. Using the reflection of the rays, the sensor measures the distance from the sensor to the person or object setting off the sensor.

Ultrasonic

– This sensor sends out pulses of ultrasonic waves in order to measure the reflection off moving objects.

Vibration

– This type of sensor detects vibrations. These are a common household sensor that can be purchased at local stores. The sensor uses a small mass on a lever that activates a switch when it senses a vibration. These are a good idea for a security measure, but are known to be unreliable.

Motion sensors are one of the most common home security tools and best ways to keep your Atlanta home safe. Check out AMSA’s Atlanta home security services and learn more about our motion sensor offerings combined with our state of the art home security systems.

Home automation allows families to experience basic home functions in a whole new way, improving their safety and freeing up time. With AMSA in Atlanta, you can monitor when specific doors are used, if a window is left open, if your basement floods, and much more. Making the switch to home automation provides several benefits that you may have not considered. Here are the 6 top reasons to automate your home:

Home Security – Wirelessly allowing friends and family to enter your home with automated door locks, viewing live video through surveillance cameras, and setting up customized alerts on your phone are just a few ways that you can automate your home security while protecting your family.

Money Savings – With home automation, you can control the lighting and heating systems when you’re not using them. Many families with home automation have reduced their bills by almost 20%. You also may be eligible for home insurance discounts.

Home Safety – Avoid walking throughout the house in darkness, possibly causing an injury. The features provided with home automation can automatically light closets, stairways, and other dark areas upon entry. You can always make sure that you turned the oven off, or that your daughter didn’t leave her flat iron on before school.

Environmental Benefits– Home automation allows the common household to have a better grasp on their environmental impact. It can help reduce power consumption and automatically turn off devices when they are not in use.

Peace of Mind– The home automation system allows you to check on all of the little things you may have forgotten. When you’re on vacation, you can control the lighting to make it seem as if someone is home.

Automating your home provides improved security, peace of mind, and even cost savings over time. With state of the art technology and improved convenience, you can even make an impact on the environment.Home automation security systems innovate your home and allow you to manage it with ease.